Free Ashtanga Express Class

FREE Express Primary class https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/231024838/b7acc95a52 Ashtanga Yoga Training Online Immersive Ashtanga Yoga course  Lifetime access!! About this course: deepen your own practice & get a certificate! Ashtanga Yoga is a

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Free YTT Guide

Okay we know it’s SO overwhelming once you go down the rabbit hole of trying to find a YTT that is right for you… So we made a FREE guidebook to help you choose the right YTT for you! 

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Holiday gift guide for your yoga friends

We’re here to help you spread cheer and offer you gifting ideas (with links) for your yoga-loving friends!

We’ve got you covered with a curated list of gifts ranging from stocking stuffers to grand gestures and all the links to get them too! OH and they’re all available on prime so you can get them in time for the holidays

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200hr Yoga Teacher Training Costa Rica Santa Teresa

We’ve been high up in the jungle for the last 3 weeks enjoying every bit of community, laughter, tears, philosophy, yoga asana and beach time. We are super excited for our next 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica!! We’re having a ball returning back to the place where Yoga Academy was born!

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The EASIEST way to meditate

Meditation is like giving your brain a break, a cleanse or a rest. Meditation effects our bodies in the exact opposite way that stress does. It helps our minds and bodies heal and repair as well as shields us from the damage of new stressors. With sustained practice, meditation can usher the practitioner into expanded realms of consciousness. There are no potential negative side effects. No equipment is needed.

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Ashtanga for Beginners

Ashtanga yoga is primarily a self-practice. That’s what is cool about it! You just try and keep trying and see how you progress. When you can, you seek out a qualified teacher. So here’s our favourite Ashtangi, Tina Bock, offering you an express primary series for beginners. This is a perfect place to start your Ashtanga Yoga practice!

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Best gifts for yoga teachers!

So you’ve got a friend, daughter, wife, uncle or step parent who’s REALLY into yoga eh? Or maybe you’re trying to find the perfect gift for the yoga teacher you love! Let’s face it. Buying gifts for ANYONE can be tough. Here are our top gift ideas for the yoga person YOU love.

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Where will you stay on YTT?

YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOU JOIN A YOGA ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL TEACHER TRAINING, YOUR STAY AND MEALS ARE INCLUDED RIGHT?

if you’re wondering if you’re ready, you probably are. Do you want to expand your knowledge? Do you want to go away for a month to work on yourself? Do you want to deepen your yoga practice? Do you want to be in an epic beach location?

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Yoga for Anxiety

This is a beginner friendly practice that starts with calming, grounding and then some gentle strength building to help you feel more empowered.

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The Clinical Benefits of Yoga

Yoga has been recognized for centuries as a powerful holistic practice. However, it’s only in fairly recent times that modern-day science has proven the benefits yogis have come to enjoy for generations. In fact, over the last decade alone, dozens of clinical trials have been conducted in regard to yoga. Just last 2019, for instance, 22 randomized
clinical trials into yoga’s benefits
were conducted.

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Yin Yoga for Spring time & wood element

Yin Yoga works with Traditional Chinese Medicine and the 5 elements.

During spring time we work with the wood element. This elements relates to change and growth. The energy of wood promotes regeneration which is why spring time is perfect for practicing yin yoga with this element. 🌸

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Self-care check in

One of the 8 limbs of yoga is called pratyahara which means withdrawal of the senses. The primary goal of pratyahara is to get to know our internal world even better.

Sometimes we forget to check in. Sometimes we forget what selfcare even looks like…

So with that in mind, here’s a quick self-care check-in you can do with yourself.

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Acro & Yoga retreat highlights

Our first Yoga Academy International collaborative retreat was a HUGE success. Together with Acro James Heugh and Yoga Academy founder/director Lauren Rudick we created an experience filled with fun, movement, learning and a lifetime of memories.

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FREE intentional journal

Free intentions and reflections journal.

This journal contains 15-pages of prompts to help you get clear on where you’ve been, what you’ve learned and what you want for moving forward.

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Yoga Basics: Triangle Pose

Triangle pose has many benefits!! The benefits of trikonasa include: 

Toning the arms
Strengthening the legs, arms and neck muscles
strengthens the core
helps tone and strengthen the obliques
therapeutic for sciatica
therapeutic for lower back pain
therapeutic for flat feet
Be careful in this pose if

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Yoga for Canadians

Even if you’re NOT from Canada, you can still enjoy this practice! It’s fun, a little silly, heating and meant to put a smile on your face. Have you ever done a class called “The Great Canadian Yoga Practice” before? We didn’t think so. 

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Yoga Basics: Half Moon Pose

Halfmoon pose can be super challenging for beginners! This pose is a difficult balance. It is also a hamstring and groin stretch. Half moon helps build kinaesthetic awareness and strengthens the glutes of the lifted leg, the obliques and can help build core strength in general. 

In this tutorial Lauren breaks down half moon pose for you! Enjoy!

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Yoga Basics: Chaturanga Dandasana

Often the healing properties of yoga are emphasized. Yes, yoga can be incredibly therapeutic! But just like any movement modality, if we are not careful we can injure ourselves. Knowing how to do chaturanga dandasana safely can insure the longevity of your yoga practice. That’s what we want right? A safe sustainable practice for the long term. So check out the video above and learn how you can do chaturanga dandasana the right way for your body.

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What is Prana?

Have you ever heard of Prana? The basic energy that courses through us? In this video, Lauren offers you a little tidbit about yoga philosophy. Simply doing the movements does not a yogi make. Postures with no intention is just exercise. Yoga helps us understand, build and harness our prana.

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Yoga Basics: Downward Facing Dog

In Sanskrit this posture is called Ado Mukha Svanasana. Breaking it down, Ado means downward direction. Mukha is a face and Svana is the Sanskrit word for dog. Downward dog is seen throughout almost every yoga class, so let’s break it down so that you can practice this posture with the best possible alignment.

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What does “yoga” even mean!?

Okay, so when we think “yoga” we think about one thing: postures.

Did you know that ASANA or yoga posures is just 1 out of 8 branches of the yoga tree?

In THIS video, YAI founder, Lauren Rudick, explains what the word ASANA actually means and what it means for you as a yogi.

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Yoga Basics: Utkatasana

Yoga Basics: Fierce Pose Utkatasana Fierce pose or chair pose is a great standing posture that can be included in to almost ANY yoga sequence ! It strengthens the legs and

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30-day yoga challenge

Join Yoga Academy International’s 30-day challenge!!!

This is a virtual, online yoga challenge that will include a full-length livestream yoga class every day.

For less than $2 per day you get not just a live-stream yoga class daily, but also FULL access to our ENTIRE on-demand library.

Miss your live class? Don’t worry, it will be e-mailed to you!

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Yoga Basics: Triangle Pose

Yoga Basics: Triangle Pose Trikonasana Triangle pose! Contrary to popular belief, this pose is NOT about touching the ground.  It’s about strengthening the obliques and the legs, cultivating balance, working

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Yoga Basics: Warrior 2

Yoga Basics: Warrior 2 pose Virabadhrasana II  Warrior 2: A totally iconic yoga posture! We want you to know how to align yourself properly so you practice safely.  Warrior 2

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Yoga Academy International | Yoga Teacher Trainings | Best Yoga School | Yoga Teacher School |yoga teacher certification | 200hr yoga teacher training | 500hr yoga teacher training
How to draw mandalas

How to draw Mandalas Mandala drawing is a form of mindfulness What is a Mandala?! It is a geometric configuration of symbols. In Buddhism and Hinduism mandala designs represent the

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The training that happened while the world was stopped

…As a group we decided to press on with the training. We had all come a long way to make this training and some of us were unaware of what to do next. So we agreed that in class time we would continue our journey in to mindfulness. In classes we went on as per usual. On breaks, we organized and arranged next steps. It feels now like that training was a lifetime ago. It feels like we maintained a tiny haven of paradise in a far away place where the rest of the world’s problems simply did not exist.

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Yoga Practice & Meditation for Self love

Remember: The most important relationship you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself!!

So here are a quick meditation and super gentle yoga stretch practice to help you cultivate more self-love.

Whether you’re single or have found your special someone(s) cultivating self-love is ALWAYS a good idea.

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The story of Goddess Lakshmi

Lakshmi was born from the stirring of the primordial milky ocean by the gods and demons.

The name Lakshmi is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksya, which means aim or destination.

Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity of all forms, material and spiritual.

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Anatomy for yoga teachers

At Yoga Academy International we strive to offer THE BEST yoga education possible. We believe in empowering our students with knowledge, love, community and support so that they can go on to inspire their communities when they complete their training. Although it is not required, we believe strongly in establishing a solid foundation in anatomy for all aspiring yoga teachers.

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The Escape

That place where you feel your shoulders release from your ears and your soul smile. Some people find their escape on a 5 mile run or perhaps a 500 page

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Chakra-VInyasa Yoga Retreat Brochure

Take the quizzes, learn what to look for and find the best possible yoga teacher training FOR YOU. 

Morocco retreat brochure

Take the quizzes, learn what to look for and find the best possible yoga teacher training FOR YOU. 

Yoga class in Playa Maderas

The class price is $12. Please check in and pay at reception on arrival. 

Interested in a private yoga retreat?

Fill out the form above and we will be in touch to chat about your dream yoga experience in paradise!

Learn everything there is to know about running international retreats. 
We’ll give you all of our contacts and connections!

 

Chakra Vinyasa Yoga Immersion

Fill out the form above and we will contact you with sign up details for this experience and answer any questions you have!

Take a FREE Glimpse at our Tantra-Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training

Try the ashtanga course for free!

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Yoga Academy International Faculty:

Lauren Rudick

Lauren Rudick

Lead teacher and founder of Yoga Academy International, Lauren is a globally celebrated yoga instructor. She has been teaching yoga for over a decade and comes from a variety of lineages and traditions. Lauren has lead yoga retreats and workshops in over 2-dozen countries and continues to study with world-class instructors whenever possible. She has been featured in Women's health Magazine, YogiTimes, Optymyz and get out there to name a few as well as on countless podcasts and newspaper articles. Lauren has solid roots in Iyengar based Hatha yoga with continued studies in Vinyasa flow, Anusara, Ashtanga, Restorative, Bhakti and Yin Yoga. She is inspired by teachers who tell stories. She has studied under Seane Corn, Chris Chavez, MC Yogi, Susan Cohen, Mercy Ananda, Nancy Goodfellow and many others. Lauren is passionate about sharing yoga from an authentic and soulful point of view. She believes that yoga practice can help uncover the veils that hide us from achieving our full potential.  Lauren is E-RYT 500 registered with Yoga Alliance. 

Hatti Williams

Hatti Williams

Hatti Williams is an Astrologer, Sound Healer, Fashionista and Yoga instructor. She completed her 200hr yoga teacher training and Yin Yoga teacher training with Yoga Academy International in Greece. Hatti then went on to study Yoga Nidra and Sound Healing where she learned more about the energetic body and Traditional Chinese Medicine Meridians. Hatti has a gift for bringing the mystical to life through her lectures and teachings. She offers a digestible and soulful take on astrology and merges the ancient wisdom of yoga with our understanding of the celestial universe seamlessly.

Angie Pone

Hatti Williams

Originally from Argentina, Angie is now a beach babe and a Nicaraguan local. She teaches soulful yoga classes that include Whim Hoff style breath work and themes sprinkled throughout that really connect yoga philosophy with movement.

Teresa Edmilao

Teresa Edmilao

Teresa has been practicing massage therapy since 2006. She has a 3000hr diploma in Massage Therapy from the West Coast College of Massage Therapy in Vancouver, BC. Teresa has a passion for helping people connect with their bodies. She lives by example, inspiring people to lead an active and healthy lifestyle. Teresa spent 7 years practicing massage therapy in Canada to people from all walks of life; students, athletes, desk workers, labourers, youth, elderly, dancers, and accident victims. Teresa is also a fire dancer and hula hoop dancer. She has experienced numerous injuries has personally been through the rehabilitation process many times. It was these experiences that have lead her to delve deeply into the study and application of anatomy and movement. Teresa offers anatomy classes at Yoga Academy International. Her teachings are thorough, meticulous but fun, drawing on every day life experience to help yogis understand their bodies better. 

Will Peters

Will Peters

Making yoga accessible and enjoyable, regardless of who you are and how strong or flexible you are, is his priority. With a passion for all things health and wellbeing, Will’s aim is to inspire anyone and everyone to step on the mat to gain the physical and mental benefits that yoga can provide.Born in the UK, Will is a qualified and registered yoga teacher with over 250 hours of training. Will places an emphasis on alignment and safety. Outside of teaching, Will is an enthusiastic yoga student, constantly pushing his body and mind to new limits. Whether it’s learning to handstand, progressing towards the splits or practicing mindfulness exercises, Will loves to learn new things and grow. This provides continuous evolution to Will’s teaching as he brings new-found energy and knowledge from my personal practice into class.

Nancy Goodfellow

Nancy Goodfellow

Yoga director and co-owner of Pranamar Villas and Yoga Retreat in Costa Rica, Nancy is extremely well known for her inspiring and creative daily classes, workshops,and retreats, with students both locally and internationally. Her twenty years of committed practice, thousands of hours of trainings, and continual curiosity towards life’s most mysterious aspects are all part of why she has so many devoted students. She began her Yogic studies in the Ashtanga Vinyasa tradition under the guidance of her first teachers, Dominic Corigliano, Tim  Miller and Pattabhi Jois. Nancy has completed over 500 hours of Yoga Alliance teacher trainings and began teaching in 1998. Nancy dedicated many years of study to the Anusara method with its amazing principles of alignment, Tantric philosophy and Bhakti filled practice. She completed over 500 hours of certified Anusara teachings and traditional non-dualistic Tantra studies.

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason

Chef Charlotte Mason hails from Boston where she used work in high end restaurant kitchens and then later opened up her own catering company. Burnt out and needing a break, Charlotte went on a surf vacation to Nicaragua and 3 weeks later moved cross continents and has been there ever since. Charlotte's love of sourcing locally, creating exceptional plant-based dishes and combining flavours makes her food loved by everyone. Charlotte is passionate about health and wellness and is also a certified yoga instructor. Giving back not only with flavours, Charlotte frequently teaches yoga classes in Spanish for local women and helps empower local women to follow their dreams and speak their minds. In joining Yoga Academy International, Charlotte has added so much to the experience by creating comfort and family feelings found only when gathering around a table to share delicious meals together. When not on Yoga Academy International's trainings, Charlotte creates gourmet pop up dinners around Nicaragua and chefs at yoga retreats around the world.  

Sanne Hofman

Sanne Hofman

Sanne is a ray of sunshine! Before joining the Yoga Academy International team, Sanne was a neuropsychologist in Holland. On her path, she felt that her chosen field was not quite the right fit. So Sanne set off on a journey through Central America to get to know herself better. Along the way she met her partner Toby in Panama. Together they worked and traveled through Central America eventually finding their way to Maderas Beach, Nicaragua. They loved the spot so much that they decided to move there and eventually got jobs managing a boutique hotel. Wanting to expand her offerings at the hotel, Sanne took Yoga Academy International's 200hr teacher training in 2018. She then furthered her studies in the Chakra-Vinyasa Training and went back to Europe to take Thai Yoga Massage training. Sanne is compassionate, loving and kind. She is an example of how to live yoga ethics while still being true to who you are. Sanne offers YAI students endless encouragement and love as well as unwavering support on their journeys. She can always be counted on for a listening ear, a compassionate friend, a glowing smile or a warm hug when you need it most.